Nicht nur bei uns wird Informatik in der Schule abgeschafft ...
Ist das ein Trost?
Nein!

The state of Maryland has a frankly byzantine system of awarding credits towards graduation, at least when it comes to the question of technology and Computer Science. Two kinds of credits are available: Basic and Advanced Technology. Most Computer Science courses earn an Advanced Technology credit. That sounds impressive, but students are required only to obtain a Basic Technology Credit in order to graduate any Maryland Public school.
Once upon a time, students could obtain this Basic Technology credit through a variety of courses. Several of these were introductory Computer Science or programming classes. A few years ago, Maryland lawmakers decided that only one set of standards should apply, and someone (a special-interest group) ensured that those standards excluded every class except those taught by Technology teachers---think middle school science repackaged with some construction activities.
I work in Montgomery County, which is one district that fought this change until the bitter end, which came this year. As I look through this year's enrollment numbers, I see my Advanced Placement Computer Science numbers down. These are cyclical and the drop isn't all that alarming when I consider the drop in the introductory programming course, which is devastating. The trend is clear: unless something is done our programs will virtually disappear from all public schools in Maryland. It's that simple.
Personally, I've devoted the last 5 years of my life to effecting change in the only way that a mere classroom teacher has at his disposal. I've created a great program, I spend my summers writing curriculum, developing new courses that integrate CS with other content areas, etc. I have loyal students who spread the word. I have even more who attend prestigious universities. I have a good working relationship with my Administration who believes that these courses do offer genuine value and have been willing to work with me to keep them in their building. I've obtained three certifications and now find myself faced with the prospect of unemployment within the next two years if this trend continues (and it will).
I will, of course, obtain another certification during this time. I think that I'll teach Mathematics. I like it, even if the students don't. The thing is: once I lose that AP program, I doubt that I'll ever go back and teach it. The ramp up, dealing with ETS audits, educating Administrators, parents and students about Computer Science, the countless hours writing curriculum, the time spent in out-of-the-building activities, etc., are just too great given the meager payoff---unemployment.
Tom Reinhardt
CSTA Member

Heute hat das Bundesverfassungsgericht die umstrittene Online-Durchsuchung in NRW gestoppt und hohe Hürden für den geplanten »Bundestrojaner« aufgestellt. Das Gericht bezeichnet das nordrhein-westfälische Verfassungsschutzgesetz in der derzeitigen Form als nicht mit dem Grundgesetz vereinbar.

Kaufen ;-)

The package below has been installed on tug.ctan.org and should soon be 
at your local mirror. 
Thank you again, Jim Hefferon Saint Michael's College 
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The following information was provided by our fellow contributor: 
Name of contribution: DeLig 
Author's name: Daniel Warner 
Location on CTAN: /support/delig 
Summary description: DeLig disables misplaced ligatures in LaTeX 
documents 
License type: gpl 
Announcement text: 
---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
DeLig disables misplaced ligatures in LaTeX documents using a 
dictionary approach. In general LaTeX always uses ligatures for 
the letter combinations 'ff', 'fi', 'fl', 'ffi' and 'ffl'. 
This is not always correct in the German language, e.g. the 
word 'Auflage' may not be printed with an 'fl'-ligature, that is, 
the 'fl'-ligature in 'Auflage' must be disabled. 
This may be accomplished by using the babel-package and the 
two symbols |': Auf'lage. ...